Andre Ivanchuk

Newton’s third law of motion states that “Every action is accompanied by an equal and opposite reaction. And, these forces always occur in pairs”. This simple law reveals that a reactive force cannot exist without an active counterpart.

An answer is a reaction of opposition, agreement or indifference to a previous action. The magnitude or quality of an answer largely depends on the question. The principles in the art of conversation instruct that desired results depend on the right answers, and the right answers depend on the right questions.

This truth is especially critical in creative thinking and ideation, where optimal results are desired.

A simple way to build a strong question is to phrase it around an Invitational Stem.

An Invitational Stem is the beginning part of a question that focuses on very specific phrasing. The focus on the phrasing is what creates a great question, thus resulting in a great answer. The key structure of the phrase is:

“In what ways might we…..”?

“In what ways might we increase productivity?” is a better question than “How do we increase productivity?”, or “Let’s increase productivity!”

The term “How?” is narrow-focused and asks for a specific. “Ways” is broad, open-ended and encourages creative thought.

Another great phrase alternative is:

“How might we…”?

“Might…” implies a greater level of curiosity, wonder and experimenting.

In ideation, quantity is a value as much as quality.

A truly innovative idea must fill a specific human desire and need.

If an idea lacks value by not filling a need, it is only a novelty item and cannot be called an Innovation. An individual can be highly creative and find an innovative household solution, yet lack the capacity to market their idea as a real-world, useful solution – an Innovation.

Not enough time is spent developing ideas that are useful.

A few more thoughts, Jason Fried on Innovation

Innovation is the successful exploitation and execution of the opportunity of an idea within a business model.

Innovation – This is the space following an idea generation session (creative thinking, brainstorming, etc.). Innovation deals more with quality, evaluation and implementation. It’s an idea that has the proper resources supporting it and ideal market conditions ahead. Innovation is about moving a novel idea into an idea of value that fills a specific need. Identifying an innovative idea can be a creative process.

Idea Generation – The generation of ideas. This deals with quantity and novelty. This is what we typically refer to as Creativity.

Opportunity – An opportunity looks at and depends on resources (capital, staff, sales team, etc.), and conditions (consumer need & desire, idea value, competition, timing, etc.)

Bottom Line: Innovation is when a highly creative person becomes a successful entrepreneur.

We as humans are creative beings by nature. By our design and DNA we are wired to make stuff and create. The creative drive comes from a inner place, far behind our intellect and our emotions. It is something that cannot be learned or taught. It can only be realized and developed. Since this pure creative drive comes from an inner place, the process of birthing an idea is often hindered and polluted by our intellect and our emotions. Environments that stimulate all five senses enable us to tap into this inner place where the best ideas live. While our senses are being stimulated and engaged, we allow for the ideas to be heard. Yes, there comes a time when we need to convert this idea into a feasible product using our intellect and our emotions. But, we need to find the seed of the idea. And the way to tap into this source is to block out our sensory receptors.

This post is a further explanation to Airports, Coffee & Pavlov’s Dogs.

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.

— Arthur Schopenhauer

Creativity is what’s needed for Innovation to happen.
Innovation is what could happen as a result of creativity.

Great approach to a new bottle design by Pavel Gubin.

“No great thing is created suddenly.” Epictetus

“Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them.” Albert Einstein

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Steve Jobs quotes